Today, we
bring you a sneak peek inside one of our collaborative client engagements. We've
been working with the University of Vermont (UVM) to create a training program for
business professionals as well as those who wish to specialize as
sustainability experts of the future. The need for a sustainability-trained
workforce has never been higher. At the same time, employers are finding it
difficult to fill sustainability-related jobs because candidates lack practical
training and experience. Too many higher education programs focus on the theory
of sustainability at the expense of the practical sustainability challenges and
opportunities facing today’s companies.

UVM wanted
to develop a sustainability program that helped to fill the void in practical,
skills-based sustainability training. Curriculum had to be grounded in solid
theory with a real-world focus from the corporate world. UVM said, “To meet
this new demand, a need for personnel to develop an expertise in the best
practices and strategies of sustainability has emerged. Today’s organizations
need trained subject matter experts to transform their standard operating practices
in the proper direction.”

Want to learn more about how we work with clients like UVM? Check out these
excerpts from our recent case study:

Jennifer
Woofter outlined curriculum elements in the three-course certificate,
identified subject matter experts, and delivered selected lectures on
sustainability strategy development. “The most important aspect of the program,”
said Woofter, “was to present a real-world view of sustainability. Companies
struggle with making sustainability profitable, dealing with trade-offs, and
making tough decisions about what action and metrics to choose. I wanted
students to feel confident walking into an organization and talking about the
sustainability options on the table.”

Courses, taken individually or as part of a certificate, focus on three
different aspects of sustainability:

As
students become trained sustainability experts, they are well-equipped to
integrate sustainability into a company’s bottom line. Student Rebecca LeBlanc
said, "The program opened my eyes to how I could evolve into a
knowledgeable sustainability professional who could walk into a company and add
value from day one. Prior to taking the initial course I was floundering and
wondering where my past 30 years of experience as a project manager would fit.
After completing two of the three courses in the program, I confidently led two
different life cycle assessments."

Are you
looking for a similar training program tailored to your specific organization’s
needs? Interested in a short discussion to learn more about how our team of
consultants can partner to find the right solution for you? Don’t hesitate to contact
us!